About TST

Mission

History

Clergy & Staff

Board
of Trustees and Committee Chairs

Committees

Publications

Hineni

Recent Sermons

Music

TST Photo Album

Simcha 25

Jewish Resources

History of Temple Shir Tikva

Temple Shir Tikva had its beginning as the Jewish Congregation of Wayland in the summer of 1978. During that first year, the congregation gathered in rented facilities at the First Parish Unitarian Church in Wayland Center to celebrate holiday occasions and Shabbat services. Services were conducted by volunteer members of the congregation. An organizational structure was formed under the leadership of our first president, Michael Goldberg. The following summer, Rabbi Michael Mayersohn joined us. In the fall, we held our first Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, and our religious school began. The congregation quickly grew to include members from all of the surrounding towns.

In December, 1980, the Boston Post Road property -- formerly the Wayland House Restaurant and known to an older generation of Bostonians as Seilers or Robin Hood Ten Acres, a popular Roadside Dance Hall - was purchased for a permanent home. Following extensive renovations to provide six classrooms, office and library space and an all-purpose sanctuary/meeting room, our new home was dedicated in May, 1981.

For the next ten years, Shir Tikva continued to grow and thrive. Our membership, religious school, educational programs and social offerings expanded to the point of overfilling our old facility. In September of 1992, we completed the first phase of a major building project, creating a dignified sanctuary for worship, a functional meeting hall, and sorely needed classroom space. In September, 1998 the second phase of this project, our Educational Center, was completed. The new facility includes 13 classrooms (five built specifically for young children), a Study Room/Chapel, a library, informal areas for children, a Youth Room, and ample office and conference room space.

In July 1986, Herman J. Blumberg began his tenure as Rabbi of the congregation. With his guidance, our fare of activity and Jewish life continued to grow and flourish. Cantor Hollis Schachner became Shir Tikva’s first full time invested cantor in the Summer of 2001.

In July 2005 Rabbi Blumberg retired, and Rabbi Neal Gold took over as our spiritual leader. Since those beginning years, our congregation has taken its place in contributing to Boston's western suburban Jewish community and the Metrowest area.

==> Return to Top